I'm Sure I'm Not the Only One.........

.......who has made this observation, but I'm going to say it anyway.  I truly believe that the best way to find out the best (and maybe the worst) things about your marriage/relationship is to go through a challenging time.  The past few weeks have been an eye-opening time for me, and I can honestly say, that 20 years ago, I made the right decision:  I married the man I call my husband, partner, and father of my children.

On the 17th of August, I had major surgery (which had been months in the planning).  During surgery, I suffered some blood loss, which meant I needed a transfusion of two units of blood as well as two units of iron.  I spent a total of four days and nights in the hospital, which coincided with the first days of school.  Since then, I have not been able to lift anything heavier than a utensil, I can't bend over easily, and I am only now driving short distances.  I have not resumed driving the school carpools, I have yet to attend a high school football game, I have not gone grocery shopping, and I tend to sleep A LOT.  I have not yet cooked a meal, washed a load of laundry, nor loaded a dishwasher.  Despite this, my house is clean, the kids are on track with homework (mostly), everyone's clothes are clean, and no one has missed a meal.

Long ago, my kids learned that being a part of this family means being part of a TEAM, and every member has a role.  My daughter learned years ago how to cook a meal and wash clothes, and my son learned how to gather trash and load and run the dishwasher.  So the fact that they have picked up the slack doesn't surprise me.

What HAS surprised me, and maybe it shouldn't have, is the way my husband has picked up the "mom" duties so readily.  He checks the online school system nightly to oversee the kids' assignments; he's driven kids to and from school and band practices; he's made sure lunches were made and packed, and he's driven me to countless doctors' appointements.  In short, life has barely skipped a beat around here.  Although I have had to skip all of my volunteer duties for the past several weeks, life continues pretty much as normal, allowing ME the ability to do what I need to do, which is HEAL.  Granted, my husband had much "comp" time due him from work, so he had the time available to step in and take over some of my duties, but I am amazed at how much time I have to myself.

Which, as I have discovered, is sorely needed (pun intended).  I am as weak as a baby, and my emotions are all over the map.  One day I begin to feel normal, and the next day and for days after, I feel as if I have been used as a punching bag.  I am trying to use my Vicodin at night only to help me sleep, but even during the day, I have found myself reaching for the Tylenol.

Time is what I need.  Time to heal, time to sleep, time to cry when necessary, and time to laugh.

And after all this time, I've learned how much my husband truly loves me.

I am a fortunate woman.

Later daze, y'all............